COMMISSION
Eric Crowley
(Mayor)
Eric Crowley moved to Ottawa with his family in 1979 and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1996. After graduation, he began his career as an electrician and in 2006 opened Advantage Electric. Eric married Carissa Tucker in September of 2017. They have three children, Seth, Bryce, and Raegan.
He is involved in many areas of construction in Ottawa including, electrical contractor, builder/developer, foam insulator, house flipper, renovator and landlord.
Eric is a member of Leadership Franklin County Board of Trustees, Ottawa Memorial Auditorium Advisory Board, and attends meetings for Play Task Force as well as other organizations in town. He previously served on the Construction Board of Appeals.
He believes that by working together, Ottawa can be a wonderful place to live, work and raise children. As a commissioner, he wants to focus on building relationships with contractors and city officials to ensure constant, steady construction to fill housing and job needs
Mike Skidmore
(Mayor Pro-Tem)
Mike was born and raised in Ottawa. He graduated from OHS in 1974, and K-State in 1978, with a degree in agricultural economics. After his high school sweetheart, Marilee Thornburg, and him were married, he moved to central Kansas where he began his career in banking. His family came back to Ottawa in 1995.
His three children graduated from Ottawa High School, and he has continued his banking career, while becoming an active member of various local organizations, including Franklin County Leadership Class (graduate), Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce (past chairman), Franklin County Development Council (past chairman), and Ottawa University Chancellor's Council. He was first elected to the Ottawa City Commission in 2013, and has served two terms, which have included two one-year stints as mayor. Additionally, his wife and him are members of Ottawa Bible Church, and he is the treasurer of Agape Interfaith Ministries of India.
Sara Caylor
Sara Caylor was elected to the Ottawa City Commission in April 2011. Subsequently, she has been reelected to serve two additional four year terms in April 2015 and November 2020. In four instances, she has been elected to serve as Ottawa’s Mayor in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2021. Sara is an Ottawa High School graduate. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Washburn University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Washburn University. Born and raised in Ottawa, Sara is proud to call the community of Ottawa home!
Sara is actively involved in community, city, and state organizations involved in municipal policy and leadership. She serves the community of Ottawa contributing her time to several public and community service organizations including:
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League of Kansas Municipalities Board of Directors (2018-present)
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(President 2020-2021)
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Elizabeth Layton Center Board of Directors (2019-present)
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Franklin County Historical Society Board of Directors (2019-present)
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Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2012, 2015, 2020)
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Franklin County Economic Development Council Board of Directors (2013, 2016, 2017, 2021)
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Kansas Municipal Energy Agency Board of Directors (2017-present)
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Advent Health Charitable Association Board of Directors (2009-present)
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Ottawa Swim Club Board of Directors (2021-present)
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Ottawa Rotary (2006-present)
Sara and her husband, Chad, have two children. Service to others has been a hallmark of her efforts primarily working with underprivileged youth, at risk populations, and community organizing for several decades. As with any of the Ottawa City Commissioners, Sara encourages you to contact her with any questions you may have about the City of Ottawa.
Emily Graves
Emily Graves began serving on the Ottawa City Commission in October of 2015. After a brief hiatus from 2018 to 2021 due to moving outside of city limits, she was elected once again in November of 2021 to a 4-year term.
Emily lives in town with her boyfriend, her two kids, 4 of her 5 “bonus” kids, and her TikTok famous dog, Chino. She graduated from Emporia State University in 2012. She then completed her Master’s degree in Leadership through Baker University in 2015. She has served on various boards in the past, including CASA, Communities in Schools, the Play Task Force, and Ottawa Area Young Professionals. Currently, Emily is serving on the Ottawa Main Street board as well as the Ottawa Municipal Auditorium board.
Emily believes in leading by example. She wants her kids to see how changes are made and what a little hard work can do. She hopes to make Ottawa the type of place that her kids will want to raise their future families in.
Zach Clayton
Zach Clayton was born and raised in Ottawa. He graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in Management of Information Systems. He has worked for both Ottawa University and Franklin County’s Information Technology departments. He spent several years working in Health Care IT for Cerner in Kansas City, MO. In 2019 Zach started Picket Fence Properties, a local property renovation company and in 2021 he started Clayton & Son Construction, as a general contractor in Ottawa and is working on his real estate license.
Zach is involved in several areas of construction in and around the Ottawa area including working as a General Contractor, property renovator, home flipper and landlord.
He believes that serving on the City Commission is the best way that he can positively impact the City of Ottawa long term. Providing a quality, maintained infrastructure is key to improving the lives of citizens while encouraging continued growth is something he values. He wants to focus on sidewalk and accessibility improvements, continued housing growth, as well as finding ways to keep broadening the services available within Ottawa to current and future residents.